By Oluwatoyin Mathnuel
For Adebisi Kuforiji, being a mother of four is her first and most important job. But beyond her family, she has dedicated her life to empowering single mothers — women who, like her, often face stigma, disrespect, and isolation in society.
Kuforiji, an entrepreneur, life coach, and mentor, has been a single mother for 28 years. She has seen firsthand how society dismisses women in her position. “They see single mothers as urgent 2k mamas and rarely give them a voice,” she says. “But they are leaders, mothers, and queens.”
Her journey of impact began at age 59, when she brought together 59 women of her age to form a community. Each year, the size of the group grows to match her age: at 60, the community expanded to 60 women; this year, at 61, it has reached 61 members. It is not a one-off project — the community runs year-round, providing support and mentorship, with members gathering on her birthday to celebrate, connect, and share resources.
Funding for the group comes entirely from Kuforiji and her friends, with no government or NGO support. Members benefit from financial empowerment — this year, each woman will receive ₦61,000, while some who presented business plans via video will receive ₦100,000 from sponsors.
The structure is carefully designed: 10 mentors, each overseeing six mentees, monitor the welfare and progress of the women. If challenges arise, the mentors either resolve them or escalate them to Kuforiji.
The impact has been remarkable. Of the 59 women who joined in 2023, five have since gotten married. Six new members were added last year, with three more marriages recorded. This year, four more women joined, bringing the total to 61. By her 62nd birthday, she plans to admit 30 additional women. Those who have been part of the community for two years transition into an alumni group, ensuring continuity and growth.
Membership cuts across categories of single motherhood — never married, widowed, and divorced. “Everyone is welcome,” she explains, “but we need more help to push this project forward. Right now, it’s just me and my friends supporting the women.”
At the August 23rd #Project61 empowerment event themed “Making life a little better with 61 single mothers,” Kuforiji was joined by her son Olamide, daughter Omodolapo, her niece Zara, and Retired Chief Magistrate Adebola Fashanu, her senior from her secondary school days. Together, they celebrated not just her birthday, but the resilience and progress of the women in the community.
Kuforiji is outspoken about the stigma attached to single motherhood. “People act as if it’s always the woman’s fault. But you cannot be a mother without a father who contributed to that child,” she notes. “If you don’t stigmatize the single mother in your own family, why stigmatize others?”
She also calls on government to support single mothers as a vital part of the nation’s social fabric. “In the US, basketball stars often honor their single mothers for their sacrifices. Here, we see them as immoral women. But every woman in this group is hardworking. They only need resources to scale their businesses.”
Her work has earned admiration and gratitude from many.
Edidiong Udosen, who joined through Project 59, recalls: “Once life pushes a situation to you, the solution is in the problem. None of us can say we haven’t benefited from her. This platform has been a blessing.”
Jiji Uduak adds: “She’s a selfless woman. My story is not complete without her.”
For Yinka Oziegbe, a friend of over 20 years, Kuforiji is “good, nice, and lovely — a true friend deserving of long life and prosperity.”
Her son, Olamide, describes her as someone who maximizes opportunities and never holds back. “My mum loves celebrating with others. She chose single mothers because she feels they are often forgotten. She is hardworking, loving, and generous.”
As she marks her 61st birthday, Kuforiji remains committed to strengthening the community, mentoring women, and reshaping the narrative of single motherhood.
“My advice to single mothers is simple,” she says. “Learn, grow, and then pay it forward.”
